This past weekend was Youth Sunday at my church, where I have been a Youth Counselor for the past 10 years (still hard to believe it has been that long). Each year I am moved nearly (and sometimes to) tears by the sermons given by our graduating seniors.
I am not one of those youth counselors who is extremely vocal and sometimes wonder if I am making a big enough impact on the lives of the youth. But I am there for them, as a constant support and presence in their lives.
This year in particular, it really hit me that even though I might not have been their best friend, I have made a difference in their life. That they knew and appreciated the steady support that I and the other counselors had given them, and helped them to become the strong and confident young adults that they are.
This got me thinking about the mentoring relationships here. Some form into true friendship, others are that vocal cheerleader mentors, but most are the silent sustaining supportive mentors. I think that this last form can have a big impact on someone, it is like you know that no matter what, there is support for you when you need it, and because of that support, you can be there to support another. That is the blessing of this site: no one person is strong enough to support everyone else, but we are all strong enough to support each other to get us all through the tough times and can have one heck of a party to celebrate accomplishments - even the small ones.
So thank you to all of you who mentor and support me, I truly could not have gotten to where I am now with out you.